3.The Psalms come out of particular life settings, both personal and corporate (such as the Temple liturgy).

4. The Psalms are prophetic, pointing to Jesus Christ.

Recognize descriptions and examples of synonymous, antithetic and synthetic parallelism.

The psalms are poetic in form. They arise out of oral speech and are best known for their use of “Hebrew parallelism” in which two or three parallel phrases (members) are employed to give variations on the same theme. Below are three types of Hebrew parallelism:

- Synonymous parallelism

In synonymous parallelism, the second phrase (member) may repeat the content of the first in different words.

“Blessed is the man

who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,

nor stands in the path of sinners” (Ps. 1:1).

-Antithetic parallelism

In antithetic parallelism, the second phrase (member) may contrast sharply with the first.

“For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,

but the way of the ungodly shall perish” (Ps. 1:6).

- Synthetic parallelism

In synthetic parallelism, the second phrase (member) may also take the thought further.

“But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

and in his law he meditates day and night” (Ps. 1:2).

With regard to the Psalms as poetry, scholars have sought to analyze some sort of metrical regularity in them but with no resulting consensus

Recognize this type of Psalm and it’s example and outline:

Laments

Express or presuppose deep trust in Yahweh and help people express struggles, suffering or disappointment to the Lord.

Psalm 3 is one of the fourteen Psalms that are linked to historical episodes in the life of David (3, 7, 18, 30, 34, 51, 52, 54, 56, 57, 59, 60, 63 and 142). The parallels between the historical account of David’s flight from his son Absalom, in 2 Sam. 15:13-19:2, and this Psalm may be summarized as follows:

Psalm Verses Episode in David’s Life 2 Samuel Verses

3:1, 6 The rising tide of disloyalty 15:13

3:2 The rumor that God had abandoned him 15:26; 16:7-8

3:3 David’s head, covered in shame on the Mt. of Olives, will be raised by God 15:30

3:5 Danger and confidence at night 17:1, 16

3:6 David heavily outnumbered 15:13; 17:11

3:8 Victory eventually comes 19:1-2

3:1-2 ¬¬– Complaint of many enemies

3:3-4 ¬¬– Confidence in God answering prayer

3:5-6 ¬¬– Trust in God brings peace

3:7-8 ¬¬– Invocation for God to bring victory

Recognize this type of Psalm and it’s example and outline:

Thanksgiving

Express joy to the Lord because of something has gone well or circumstances are good, or because people have reason to thank God for his faithfulness, protection or benefit.

Psalm 32 – Thanksgiving

32:1-2 ¬¬– Receive forgiveness

32:3-5 ¬¬– Acknowledge conviction

32:6-7 ¬¬– Embrace protection

32:8-10 – Listen to direction

32:11 – Rejoice!

Recognize this type of Psalm and it’s example and outline:

Hymns of Praise

Center on praising God for who he is, for his greatness and goodness toward the whole earth as well as toward his people.